Fierce Botanics - Apothecary Tonic No. 1

How wonderful is it to find new ways to turn classic drinks into something unique? The Amazing Blog found just the tonic to give our favourite drinks, gin & tonic and rum & soda, a new kick. Fierce Botanics being the flavoursome brainchild of A.S Apothecary.

Amanda Saurin is the founder of A.S. Apothecary, a traditional apothecary with over thirty years of experience in the UK and the Levant. She leads a team of ten women and a couple of chaps, who produce a small-batch natural skincare brand that uses ingredients local to the UK. Together, they decided to branch out from the world of botanical skincare, to tonic, with the launch of Fierce Botanics. Their goal is to be transparent, honest, respectful, and environmentally-conscious. They also thrive on collaborations with other green brands, traditional crafters and drinks makers, who share their passion. All of which is highly commendable!

We had the chance to taste Fierce Botanics’ Apothecary Tonic No. 1. This botanical hit immediately had us hooked, with its best quality organic ingredients (like their skincare) used in small batches and ‘done by hand’. Sipping this tonic was a delight! It was a surprise to enjoy such an unusual tonic, with complex flowers and herbs, combined with a subtle citrus tang of bright and bitter notes. Cleverly it allows for a light balance, as none of the ingredients overpower, and it’s easily quaffable with the lightly aerated bubbles. It is a luxurious tonic made from fir and spruce trees, citrus peel, juniper, East Sussex roses, organic cane sugar, and cinchona bark from Ecuador.  What we particularly like is that instead of using a nasty preservative, Fierce Botanics have opted for just a touch of citric acid. It took Fierce Botanics two years of experimenting to perfect this tonic, and we can see why!

Fierce Botanics recommends that their Apothecary Tonic No. 1 be enjoyed as a mixer with spirits such as rum, gin or vodka. Although actually, we have to confess we liked it best by itself, so we could savour the flavours of this sophisticated alcohol-free bevvy. You can purchase the Apothecary Tonic No. 1 250ml here for £3.50 per bottle.

CODE Lip Intense Plumper and CODE SSL Soft Smooth Lip Liner

Full lips are one of those make-up trends that never really go out of fashion. So when we at The Amazing Blog received the Lip Intense Plumper and the Soft Smooth Lip Liner from CODE Beautiful, we loved the idea of trying these products to help make our lips look fuller and feel smoother. This boutique brand is all about creating go-to handbag essentials, so it's no surprise that both of these lip essentials were also awarded Editor's Choice for The 2018 Beauty Shortlist Awards. 

The first step to a perfect pout is to apply the Lip Intense Plumper. We must admit this treatment slowly becomes addictive each time we apply it. We’ve all tried our fair share of plumping products that actually end up leaving your lips with an irritating burning sensation. However, this treatment gives you a gentle tingly, cooling sensation and of course, fuller and more nourished lips. The blend of coconut, almond and castor oil moisturises your lips, while the magical combination of Hyaluronic acid, Tripeptide-1, Dimethicone and the star ingredient, Hilurlip, to redefine and sculpt your lips. 

Once your lips are feeling plumper, the next step is to define them helping to create a long-lasting, youthful pout with the Soft Smooth Lip Liner. We think that this liner will soon become your essential product for an instantly defined lip. Brilliant to use for preventing our favourite lipsticks from feathering and also applied it on its own for a great natural look. It comes in the perfect Nude Blush shade that will give you an all-round even colour. The added bonus of this lip liner is the self-sharpening tool that automatically leaves the liner sharp for a precise application every time, all with just a quick twist of the cap. Both of these products are paraben-free and not tested on animals. You can purchase the CODE SSL Soft Smooth Lip Liner here for £18 and the Lip Intense Plumper here for £20.

Hand Chemistry - Intense Youth Complex Hand Cream

Here at The Amazing Blog, we’re constantly using our hands. Whether it’s typing at our desks, or flicking through various papers and magazines, this constant handling often has a drying effect on our delicate mitts. Through a need to keep them moisturised, we’re constantly trying out new creams and lotions. Our latest find is the Hand Chemistry Intense Youth Complex Hand Cream, which is just perfect for a boost of hydration. 

This miracle cream has been proven to fight signs of hand aging whilst keeping your mitts moisturised throughout the day. We always think that the hands are a dead giveaway to someone’s age, no matter how much care they’ve taken of their complexion, so it’s comforting to know that  while we’re keeping our hands hydrated, we’re also dialling back the years for a more youthful look.  This creamy emulsion visibly smoothed out the appearance of our hands, as well as relieving that tight, dry feeling we often get after a few hours at the keyboard. Rich and super concentrated, a little goes a very long way with this wonder cream, and you only need to apply twice a day to see great results, so we know we’ll be using it for a long time yet.

Remember, your hands are exposed to the elements just as much, if not more, than your face is so it makes sense to treat them with just as much TLC. You can purchase the cream in Boots or online here for £19.00.